The Chancellor of the Exchequermoved the order of the day for the House resolving itself into a committee of Supply. He hoped that it would not be thought irregular in him, to take this opportunity of endeavouring to remove a misapprehension which had taken place, in consequence of a statement of what had fallen from him in answer to a question which had been put to him by an hon. gentleman (Mr. Grenfell). The misapprehension and alarm which it had caused had already produced very serious inconveniencies, particularly among, the lower classes. The question was, with respect, to the copper currency; and he was sorry to find, that from some misapprehension of what he had said in reply there had been a pretty general discredit of the Tower halfpence, which were issued by his Majesty's proclamation, were the legal copper currency of the land, and unquestionably a lawful tender in those payments which could be made in copper currency. He was sure, that no person who had at- 285 tended to what he said in that House could have so far misapprehended his statement, nor was he aware that any statement of it which had been given to the public justified this misapprehension and alarm. He should, however, now expressly state, that the old Tower halfpence were legally made current by the King's proclamation; that they were legal tenders; and that they would be received by government at their legal current price. As it was the intention of government to receive them at the full value of the currency, although it might take some time to consider the best means of calling them in; yet he trusted that this statement would be sufficient to remove all apprehension or alarm from the minds of those who were now possessed of them.
§ Mr. Grenfellsaid, that the statement now made was precisely what he understood the right honourable gentleman as having said upon a former occasion, The only object of his question was, to remove from circulation the base and adulterated copper coin, or local tokens, which were before taken in payments; and to have the Tower halfpence called in at their full value; either to be paid in Bank notes, or to be replaced by a new coinage. He could not avoid returning his thanks to the right hon. gentleman, for the very fair and manly way in which he had met the question; and he hoped that he would not allow himself to be diverted from his resolution by any clamour that might be setup by persons interested in continuing the circulation of a base and adulterated coin.
§ The House then resolved itself into a Committee of Supply; and several small sums were ordered for miscellaneous services.